May 1974 the squadron returned to WESTPAC as part of the Carrier Air Wing 2/USS Ranger team. VA-113 continued this association for the next eight years, completing four more peacetime WESTPAC deployments while compiling an accident-free safety record in the A-7E. 1980s From 15 October 1980 to 22 March 1981, under the "Swing Wing Concept" to reduce the deck multiple on Ranger, VA-113 operated as a CVW-2 Detachment from NAS Cubi Point. In August 1982 the squadron surpassed 40,000 accident-free flight hours which represented the longest accident-free period in the entire Navy A-7 community. In recognition of superior safety awareness and operations, the squadron was presented the prestigious Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 1982. On 24 August 1984, the first F/A-18 Hornet bearing "Stinger" colors was delivered to VFA-125, and the VA-113 pilots began transition training. The squadron was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron One Hundred Thirteen (VFA-113) on 25 March 1984, and they completed the transition on 14 December 1984, becoming the first operational fleet Hornet squadron. The squadron soon embarked aboard for the first carrier deployment of the F/A-18 with Carrier Air Wing 14 from February to August 1985. From April to October 1987, the squadron again deployed to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. The squadron supported Operation Earnest Will, the armed escort of American-flagged merchant ships in the Persian Gulf region. The squadron deployed in December 1988 aboard USS Independence to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans, returning in June 1989. Immediately upon their return, they upgraded to C model Hornets. 1990s Safety and proficiency milestones were set again in May 1990, as the squadron advanced the Navy's Tactical Aviation Safety Record to 16 years and over 70,000 mishap-free hours. In June 1990, the squadron once again sailed to the Western Pacific, aboard Independence. Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990, USS Independence was ordered to the Gulf of Oman, becoming the first aircraft carrier on station. VFA-113 conducted Operation Desert Shield missions over the North Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. On 3–4 October 1990, VFA-113 conducted flight operations from USS Independence while she operated in the Persian Gulf, marking the first time a carrier had operated in the Gulf since 1974. The squadron returned from this deployment on 20 December 1990. In February 1994, the squadron deployed aboard as part of Cruiser Destroyer Group Three. During this deployment, the squadron conducted